Month: February 2022

Review: Happily Ever Afters (Happily Ever Afters #1)

Title: Happily Ever Afters (Happily Ever Afters #1)
Author: Elise Bryant
Genre: Young Adult, Contemporary, Romance
Publisher: Balzer + Bray
Source: Purchased
Format: Paperback
Release Date: January 5, 2021
Rating: ★★★★★

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Goodreads Synopsis:

Jane the Virgin meets To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before in this charming debut romantic comedy filled with Black Girl Magic. Perfect for fans of Mary H. K. Choi and Nicola Yoon, with crossover appeal for readers of Jasmine Guillory and Talia Hibbert romances.

Sixteen-year-old Tessa Johnson has never felt like the protagonist in her own life. She’s rarely seen herself reflected in the pages of the romance novels she loves. The only place she’s a true leading lady is in her own writing—in the swoony love stories she shares only with Caroline, her best friend and #1 devoted reader.

When Tessa is accepted into the creative writing program of a prestigious art school, she’s excited to finally let her stories shine. But when she goes to her first workshop, the words are just…gone. Fortunately, Caroline has a solution: Tessa just needs to find some inspiration in a real-life love story of her own. And she’s ready with a list of romance novel-inspired steps to a happily ever after. Nico, the brooding artist who looks like he walked out of one of Tessa’s stories, is cast as the perfect Prince Charming.

But as Tessa checks off each item off Caroline’s list, she gets further and further away from herself. She risks losing everything she cares about—including the surprising bond she develops with sweet Sam, who lives across the street. She’s well on her way to having her own real-life love story, but is it the one she wants, after all?

Review:

Sixteen-year-old Tessa Johnson is a romance writer, but she’s never experienced a true romance herself or seen herself in the pages of published romance novels. When she moves to Long Beach and starts attending an arts high school, Tessa experiences one of the worst things a writer can have: writer’s block. Her friend from her old town has the perfect solution. She suggests that Tessa find her own romance to give her inspiration to write. Luckily, one of the students in her class looks like the dreamy main character in one of her stories. However, as Tessa spends more time with that guy, she starts to turn into a different person, lying to everyone around her. Her neighbour, Sam, is someone who she’s never afraid to be herself with, but he isn’t her type. Tessa has to figure out what her real love story is so she can get her writing groove back.

I loved this book so much. I could relate to Tessa. I also loved to write as a teen. I didn’t know much about writing back then so I wouldn’t have been able to do a program like Tessa did, though I would love it now!

Tessa experienced some realistic relationship problems in this story. There were a lot of red flags with one of the guys that Tessa liked. I recognized these red flags right away, but Tessa tried to brush them off. I would have and did try to ignore some of the problematic things that friends or boyfriends did, so that I could still be with them, but now I realize that was harmful to myself. I loved that this aspect of problematic and toxic relationships was explored in this book, because I wish I had learned that lesson sooner in life.

Happily Ever Afters is a great YA romance! I can’t wait to read the sequel!

One True Loves by Elise Bryant

Serendipity by Marissa Meyer

Other books in the series:

  • One True Loves

Have you read Happily Ever Afters? What did you think of it?

It’s Monday, What Are You Reading? – February 7

This blog meme is hosted by Book Date. It is a place to meet up and share what you have been, are and about to be reading over the week.  It’s a great post to organize yourself. It’s an opportunity to visit and comment, and er… add to that ever growing TBR pile!

What I just finished:

This weekend I finished Happily Ever Afters (Happily Ever Afters #1) by Elise Bryant.

What I’m currently reading:

I’m currently reading The Last Grand Duchess by Bryn Turnbull.

What I’m reading next:

Next I will be reading Love, Comment, Subscribe by Cathy Yardley.

What are you guys reading this week? Have you read any of these books?

Jill’s Weekly Wrap Up – February 6

Here are my reviews for the week with my ratings:

I did 5 weekly blogging memes:

How was your week? What did you guys read?

Sundays in Bed With… Happily Ever Afters

The meme that dares to ask what book has been in your bed this morning? Come share what book you’ve spent time curled up reading in bed, or which book you wish you had time to read today! This meme is hosted by Midnight Book Girl.

This Sunday I’m reading Happily Ever Afters (Happily Ever Afters #1) by Elise Bryant.

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Goodreads Synopsis:

Jane the Virgin meets To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before in this charming debut romantic comedy filled with Black Girl Magic. Perfect for fans of Mary H. K. Choi and Nicola Yoon, with crossover appeal for readers of Jasmine Guillory and Talia Hibbert romances.

Sixteen-year-old Tessa Johnson has never felt like the protagonist in her own life. She’s rarely seen herself reflected in the pages of the romance novels she loves. The only place she’s a true leading lady is in her own writing—in the swoony love stories she shares only with Caroline, her best friend and #1 devoted reader.

When Tessa is accepted into the creative writing program of a prestigious art school, she’s excited to finally let her stories shine. But when she goes to her first workshop, the words are just…gone. Fortunately, Caroline has a solution: Tessa just needs to find some inspiration in a real-life love story of her own. And she’s ready with a list of romance novel-inspired steps to a happily ever after. Nico, the brooding artist who looks like he walked out of one of Tessa’s stories, is cast as the perfect Prince Charming.

But as Tessa checks off each item off Caroline’s list, she gets further and further away from herself. She risks losing everything she cares about—including the surprising bond she develops with sweet Sam, who lives across the street. She’s well on her way to having her own real-life love story, but is it the one she wants, after all?

What book are you in bed with today?

Blog Tour Review: A Lullaby for Witches

Title: A Lullaby for Witches
Author: Hester Fox
Genre: Historical Fiction, Paranormal
Publisher: Graydon House
Source: Publisher via NetGalley
Format: Ebook
Release Date: February 1, 2022
Rating: ★★★★★

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Goodreads Synopsis:

Two women. A history of witchcraft. And a deep-rooted female power that sings across the centuries. 

Once there was a young woman from a well-to-do New England family who never quite fit with the drawing rooms and parlors of her kin.

Called instead to the tangled woods and wild cliffs surrounding her family’s estate, Margaret Harlowe grew both stranger and more beautiful as she cultivated her uncanny power. Soon, whispers of “witch” dogged her footsteps, and Margaret’s power began to wind itself with the tendrils of something darker.

One hundred and fifty years later, Augusta Podos takes a dream job at Harlowe House, the historic home of a wealthy New England family that has been turned into a small museum in Tynemouth, Massachusetts. When Augusta stumbles across an oblique reference to a daughter of the Harlowes who has nearly been expunged from the historical record, the mystery is too intriguing to ignore.

But as she digs deeper, something sinister unfurls from its sleep, a dark power that binds one woman to the other across lines of blood and time. If Augusta can’t resist its allure, everything she knows and loves—including her very life—could be lost forever.

Review:

Augusta Podos has worked at a dead end job giving tours in Salem, when she discovers her dream job at the historic Hawlowe House. While working, she discovers a woman named Margaret Harlowe, who lived in the house a hundred and fifty years ago, but her life is a mystery. Augusta makes it her mission to find out everything she can about Margaret to get her the justice she deserved. However, her research reveals a close bond between the two women, that Augusta must overcome to finally get to the truth.

This was a tragic story about how women can be lost in history. Both Margaret and Augusta experienced abusive relationships. In Margaret’s case, it ended in her disappearance from history. Margaret was rumored to be a witch, and wasn’t well liked in her time, but she still deserved to live her life and have her story told after death. This story told the complete history of Margaret and tied up all the loose threads in the ending.

This story took a surprising supernatural turn that I wasn’t expecting. I really enjoyed the story but I wasn’t expecting it to have a supernatural, ghostly element. I won’t say too much about that so I don’t give any spoilers. This supernatural element was unexpected in a historical novel but I enjoyed it.

A Lullaby for Witches is a beautiful historical fiction story.

Thank you HarperCollins for providing a copy of this book.

The Widow of Pale Harbor by Hester Fox

The Lost Apothecary by Sarah Penner

About the author:

Hester Fox is a full-time writer and mother, with a background in museum work and historical archaeology. A native New-Englander, she now lives in rural Virginia with her husband and their son.

Have you read A Lullaby for Witches? What did you think of it?

Review: How to Survive a Scandal

Title: How to Survive a Scandal (Rebels with a Cause #1)
Author: Samara Parish
Genre: Historical Fiction, Romance
Publisher: Forever
Source: Publisher
Format: Paperback
Release Date: May 25, 2021
Rating: ★★★★★

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Goodreads Synopsis:

In this whirlwind Regency romance, a near-death experience leads to a marriage of convenience for two unsuspecting strangers, but will their unusual meeting lead them to true love?

Lady Amelia was raised to be the perfect duchess, accomplished in embroidery, floral arrangement, and managing a massive household. But when an innocent mistake forces her and the uncouth, untitled Benedict Asterly into a marriage of convenience, all her training appears to be for naught. Even worse, she finds herself inexplicably drawn to this man no finishing school could have prepared her for.

Benedict Asterly never dreamed saving Amelia’s life would lead to him being shackled to the hoity Society miss. Benedict was taught to distrust the aristocracy at a young age, so when news of his marriage endangers a business deal, Benedict is wary of Amelia’s offer to help. But his quick-witted, elegant bride defies all his expectations… and if he’s not careful, she’ll break down the walls around his guarded heart.

Review:

Lady Amelia has been preparing to marry a Duke her entire life. However, her plans are derailed when she’s found in a compromising position with the untitled Benedict Asterly. She must marry Benedict and move away from the ton in London. Benedict’s work building trains is threatened when he’s associated with Amelia from the upper class. Then he gets some news that changes his station in life. Though Amelia and Benedict don’t seem to have anything in common, they begin to fall for each other, but they have to stand up to the gossip.

I loved the fast pace of this story. The action began right on the first page, with Benedict finding Amelia in a crashed carriage and having to take her somewhere to warm her up. Then they were caught together in a room alone and partly undressed, so the gossip began then too.

Gossip was a huge part of this story. All of the problems in this story were caused by gossip. People in both the upper and lower classes wanted to tear each other down, just for the power of knowing something about someone else. It was amazing to see how destructive gossip was in this story.

How to Survive a Scandal is a great historical fiction romance!

Thank you Forever for providing a copy of this book.

How to Deceive a Duke by Samara Parish

Not the Kind of Earl You Marry by Kate Pembrooke

Other books in the series:

  • How to Deceive a Duke

Have you read How to Survive a Scandal? What did you think of it?

Blog Tour Review: The Iron Sword

Title: The Iron Sword (The Iron Fey: Evenfall #2)
Author: Julie Kagawa
Genre: Young Adult, Fantasy
Publisher: Inkyard Press
Source: Publisher via NetGalley
Format: Ebook
Release Date: February 1, 2022
Rating: ★★★

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Goodreads Synopsis:

As Evenfall nears, the stakes grow ever higher for those in Faery…

Banished from the Winter Court for daring to fall in love, Prince Ash achieved the impossible and journeyed to the End of the World to earn a soul and keep his vow to always stand beside Queen Meghan of the Iron Fey. 

Now he faces even more incomprehensible odds. Their son, King Keirran of the Forgotten, is missing. Something more ancient than the courts of Faery and more evil than anything Ash has faced in a millennium is rising as Evenfall approaches. And if Ash and his allies cannot stop it, the chaos that has begun to divide the world will shatter it for eternity. 

Review:

Prince Ash has stood by Queen Meghan, the Iron Queen, since he was banished from the Winter Court. Now, their son, King Keirran of the Forgotten, has gone missing. There is an evil force approaching Nevernever that they will have to stop so that they can find Keirran and save their world.

I haven’t read the original Iron Fey series, but I really enjoyed the previous book in this spin off series. This book began with a great, quick recap of the last book, which was very helpful. I was situated right in the action immediately.

Since I haven’t read the original series, I wasn’t as invested in the characters as I could have been. In the last book, Puck was the narrator, and he was charming and funny. Ash was the narrator in this book, and he didn’t have the same entertaining narrative. Though I also didn’t have a connection to the characters in the first book, Puck kept me interested in the story. Unfortunately I couldn’t get as invested in this story.

The Iron Sword would be great for fans of The Iron Fey series.

Thank you HarperCollins for providing a copy of this book.

The Iron King by Julie Kagawa

About the author:

Born in Sacramento, CA, Julie Kagawa moved to Hawaii at the age of nine. There she learned many things; how to bodyboard, that teachers scream when you put centipedes in their desks, and that writing stories in math class is a great way to kill time. Her teachers were glad to see her graduate.

Julie now lives is Louisville, KY with her husband and furkids. She is the international and NYT bestselling author of The Iron Fey series. Visit her at juliekagawa.com.

Have you read The Iron Sword? What did you think of it?

TBR Thursday – February 3

TBR Thursday is a weekly meme hosted by Kimberly Faye Reads, where you post a title from your shelf or e-reader and find out what others think about it.

My pick this week is Legendborn by Tracy Deonn.

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Goodreads Synopsis:

After her mother dies in an accident, sixteen-year-old Bree Matthews wants nothing to do with her family memories or childhood home. A residential program for bright high schoolers at UNC–Chapel Hill seems like the perfect escape—until Bree witnesses a magical attack her very first night on campus.

A flying demon feeding on human energies.

A secret society of so called “Legendborn” students that hunt the creatures down.

And a mysterious teenage mage who calls himself a “Merlin” and who attempts—and fails—to wipe Bree’s memory of everything she saw.

The mage’s failure unlocks Bree’s own unique magic and a buried memory with a hidden connection: the night her mother died, another Merlin was at the hospital. Now that Bree knows there’s more to her mother’s death than what’s on the police report, she’ll do whatever it takes to find out the truth, even if that means infiltrating the Legendborn as one of their initiates.

She recruits Nick, a self-exiled Legendborn with his own grudge against the group, and their reluctant partnership pulls them deeper into the society’s secrets—and closer to each other. But when the Legendborn reveal themselves as the descendants of King Arthur’s knights and explain that a magical war is coming, Bree has to decide how far she’ll go for the truth and whether she should use her magic to take the society down—or join the fight.

Have you read this book? What did you think of it?

Blog Tour Review: The Liz Taylor Ring

Title: The Liz Taylor Ring
Author: Brenda Janowitz
Genre: Historical Fiction, Fiction
Publisher: Graydon House
Source: Publisher via NetGalley
Format: Ebook
Release Date: February 1, 2022
Rating: ★★★★★

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Goodreads Synopsis:

In 1978, Lizzie Morgan and Ritchie Schneider embark on a whirlwind romance on the bright beaches and glamorous yachts of Long Island. Over the years, their relationship has its share of ups and downs, including a nine-month hiatus that ends with a stunning eleven-carat ring—one that looks just like the diamond Richard Burton gifted Liz Taylor after their own separation. Like the famous couple, despite the drama that would unfold throughout the Schneiders’ marriage, the ring would be there as a symbol of their love…until it wasn’t.

Decades later, when the lost ring unexpectedly resurfaces, the Schneiders’ three children gather under one roof for the first time in years, eager to get their hands on this beloved, expensivereminder of their departed parents. But determining the fate of the heirloom is no simple task, unearthing old wounds and heartaches the siblings can’t ignore. And when the ring reveals a secret that challenges everything they thought they knew about their parents’ epic love story, they’ll have to decide whether to move forward as a family or let the ring break them once and for all.

Review:

Lizzie and Richie Schneider had a whirlwind relationship, starting in 1978. They separated for nine months in the 90s but when they got back together, Richie gave Lizzie a ring that resembled Elizabeth Taylor’s diamond ring from Richard Burton. Over the years the ring was lost and found, but no one knows where it ended up. Now, after Lizzie and Richie have both passed away, their three children find the ring again. They don’t know what to do with it, as it represents their parents’ love story. Addy wants it because she’s the oldest, Nathan wants it because it represents true love, and Courtney wants to sell it to pay off her debt. Some other challenges arise that threaten to break the family up forever, unless they can figure out a way to settle their differences.

This was a cleverly crafted story. The diamond ring, that is similar to Elizabeth Taylor’s famous ring, had quite a journey. It was won during card games, sold, repurchased, and lost. Each of the children had a different theory on where it went, and they were all right though they didn’t know where it ended up. The ring represented their parents’ love and made its way back to the family.

This story also dealt with some serious issues. Nathan thought his husband was cheating on him. Courtney was in debt that she was keeping secret from her estranged family. Addy was concerned with how her teenage daughters were taking risks and behaving like they were adults. They also had a history of addiction, both alcohol and gambling. All of these problems could be traced back to their parents, which in turn related to the ring.

The Liz Taylor Ring is a beautiful story.

Thank you HarperCollins for providing a copy of this book.

Malibu Rising by Taylor Jenkins Reid

The Grace Kelly Dress by Brenda Janowitz

Other books in the series:

Brenda is the author of seven novels, including THE GRACE KELLY DRESS and the upcoming THE LIZ TAYLOR RING, which will be published by Harper Collins/ Graydon House on February 1, 2022. She is the former Books Correspondent for PopSugar. Her work has also appeared in The New York Times, The Washington Post, Real Simple, The Sunday Times (UK), Salon, Redbook, USA Today, Bustle, The Forward, the New York Post, Publisher’s Weekly, Hello Giggles, Writer’s Digest Magazine, WritersDigest.com, and xojane. 

Brenda attended Cornell University and Hofstra Law School, where she was a member of the Law Review. Upon graduation from Hofstra, worked for the law firm Kaye Scholer, LLP, and did a federal clerkship with the Honorable Marilyn Dolan Go, United States Magistrate Judge for the Eastern District of New York

Have you read The Liz Taylor Ring? What did you think of it?

‘Waiting on’ Wednesday – February 2

This is a weekly meme hosted by Breaking the Spine. In this post we highlight a book that’s highly anticipated.

The book that I’m waiting on this Wednesday is Cinder and Glass by Melissa de la Cruz. The expected publication date is March 8, 2022.

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Goodreads Synopsis:

For this princess, winning the crown is no fairytale. 

1682. The king sends out an invitation to all the maidens in France: their presence is requested at a number of balls and events that will be held in honor of the dashing Prince Louis, who must choose a bride.

– – –

Cendrillon de Louvois has more grace, beauty, and charm than anyone else in France. While she was once the darling child of the king’s favorite adviser, her father’s death has turned her into the servant of her stepmother and cruel stepsisters–and at her own chateau, too!

Cendrillon–now called Cinder–manages to evade her stepmother and attend the ball, where she catches the eye of the handsome Prince Louis and his younger brother Auguste.

Even though Cendrillon has an immediate aversion to Louis, and a connection with Auguste, the only way to escape her stepmother is to compete with the other women at court for the Prince’s hand.

Soon, as Cendrillon glows closer to Auguste and dislikes the prince more and more, she will have to decide if she can bear losing the boy she loves in order to leave a life she hates.

Melissa de la Cruz takes a lush, romantic hand to this retold fairy tale classic.

What books are you waiting on this week?